Golden Series

Dear subscribers, esteemed members of the audience,

In the fortcoming Golden and Silver Season Series, we look forward to hosting some of our returning artists, as well as various ensembles and artists who are making their debut at Cankarjev dom. The two series, dedicated to showcasing orchestral and chamber music in our largest venue, the spectacular Gallus Hall, bring varied programmes that portray life in an interplay of enticing, cross-referenced and intertwined concert dramaturgies. 

The Golden Series will open with one of Europe's leading orchestras, the brilliant Royal Scottish National Orchestra, returning under the baton of its music director, the incisive Thomas Sondergard, and with a thrilling programme: focusing on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Maurice Ravel. The Piano Concerto in G Major, imbued with a jazzy feel, will be performed by the renowned Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi. 

The Brno Philharmonic, an ambassador for the musical legacy of Leoš  Janáček, frequently tours together with the Czech Philharmonic Choir of Brno, a world-class choir synonymous with excellence in the field of choral music on a global scale. The accomplished Czech soloists, will deliver a historically informed performance of Antonín Dvořák's oratorio under the orchestra's long-time associate, conductor Leoš Svárovský.

The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra is making its first appearance in Gallus Hall. Their 2025 European tour marks the orchestra’s centenary and the 90th anniversary of one of the last decades’ most prominent composers, Arvo Pärt. As well as paying tribute to the Estonian composer with the moving Cantus, Music Director Olari Elts will round off the programme with two profoundly emotional compositions by Sibelius: Symphony No. 2, which the composer described as a deeply personal work and “a confession of the soul”, and the sentimental yet challenging Violin Concerto, performed by the virtuosa Simone Lamsma.  

The forthcoming classical music season at Cankarjev dom will be underscored by top-class pianism through the prism of the world's most prestigious piano competition, the Frédéric Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. The Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra, one of Hungary's leading orchestras with a rich, venerable history, will join forces with the virtuoso pianist Rafał Blechacz under the leadership of Artistic Director András Keller. We can expect a masterly rendition of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1, an impressive performance that secured Blechacz’s 2005 win in the Chopin Piano Competition. We are also pleased to announce two more Silver Season piano recitals featuring creme de la creme of the Chopin Competition champions: Seong-Jin Cho and the winner of this year's competition.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will also make its first appearance in the Golden Series. In devising their concert programme, Music Director Otto Tausk juxtaposed the expressiveness of three different musical narratives. In his hymn for orchestra, Adgilis Deda, Canadian composer Samy Moussa links modernity to a deep sense of tradition. In Barber's Violin Concerto, the intimacy of the violin's soaring lines culminates into a contrast between turmoil and serenity, especially in the interpretation of Arabella Steinbacher, a sought-after soloist and a regular guest of the most prestigious festivals and orchestras. The programme will conclude with Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, a sweeping masterpiece abounding in nostalgia, longing and passion.

The Golden Series will conclude with the debut by one of Switzerland's oldest orchestras, the Basel Symphony Orchestra. An ensemble enjoying stellar international reputation, the Sinfonieorchester Basel is appointing the illustrious Markus Poschner to the post of its Chief Conductor in the 2025/26 season. Maestro has set himself the task of pairing Dvořák's Czech idiom, which pervades the composer’s Violin Concerto, with Tchaikovsky's emotionality. Award-winning violinist Maria Ioudenitch will tackle Dvořák's complex rhythmic and dance structure replete with elements of Czech folk music, while Poschner and the orchestra will recreate the full emotional range of Tchaikovsky's final symphony, the “Pathétique”.    

Aleš Drenik, MA
Classical Music Programme Director